instinct

1 of 2

noun

in·stinct ˈin-ˌstiŋ(k)t How to pronounce instinct (audio)

: a natural or inherent aptitude, impulse, or capacity

had an instinct for the right word

: a largely inheritable and unalterable tendency of an organism to make a complex and specific response to environmental stimuli without involving reason

: behavior that is mediated by reactions below the conscious level

instinctual

in-ˈstiŋ(k)-chə-wəl How to pronounce instinct (audio)

-chəl

-shwəl

-chü-əl

adjective

instinctually adverb

instinct

2 of 2

adjective

in·stinct in-ˈstiŋ(k)t How to pronounce instinct (audio)

ˈin-ˌstiŋ(k)t How to pronounce instinct (audio)

: profoundly imbued : infused

my mood, instinct with romance

S. J. Perelman

obsolete : impelled by an inner or animating or exciting agency

Example Sentences

Noun Our first instinct was to run. Cats possess a natural hunting instinct. Seeing the baby aroused all her maternal instincts. He has been guided throughout his career by his political instincts. Mere instinct alerted her to the danger. He knew by instinct what not to say. She seemed to know by instinct that something was wrong. He has a strong survival instinct. an athlete with good instincts See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For some, the instinct to stay quiet has grown more difficult.

Emily Yahr, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2022 In a movie that’s partly about the human instinct to care for other people, Chau breaks your heart.

David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Sep. 2022 In that way, the Air Raid remains as much about the moxie of its coach as anything else, rewarding those who refuse the instinct to skate along with the status quo.

Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2022 It’s the natural human instinct to shy away from such circumstances, especially when there are extensive repercussions at stake.

Ron Carucci, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022 The females are capable of stinging, but lack the instinct to guard their nest like a honeybee.

Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2022 With many of Variant’s current bets among the most known and successful in Web3, the instinct of Walden and Jin seems to be on point.

Taylor Locke, Fortune, 28 July 2022 Some gay leaders argued that the instinct to live in communities of like-minded people remained a powerful draw and that there would always be some version of a gayborhood, though perhaps not as concentrated and powerful.

New York Times, 3 July 2022 When a woman and man see the footage of Kamala's powers, the first instinct is to brush it off.

Evan Romano, Men's Health, 8 June 2022

Adjective

Mr. Hickenlooper’s denouncement could serve to highlight for Mrs. Clinton’s team his instinct to battle the rival nominee, an important role that vice-presidential candidates play for the top of the ticket.

Maggie Haberman, New York Times, 17 June 2016 See More

单词	instinctual
释义	instinct 1 of 2 noun in·stinct ˈin-ˌstiŋ(k)t 1 : a natural or inherent aptitude, impulse, or capacity had an instinct for the right word 2 a : a largely inheritable and unalterable tendency of an organism to make a complex and specific response to environmental stimuli without involving reason b : behavior that is mediated by reactions below the conscious level instinctual in-ˈstiŋ(k)-chə-wəl -chəl -shwəl -chü-əl adjective instinctually adverb instinct 2 of 2 adjective in·stinct in-ˈstiŋ(k)t ˈin-ˌstiŋ(k)t 1 : profoundly imbued : infused my mood, instinct with romance S. J. Perelman 2 obsolete : impelled by an inner or animating or exciting agency Example Sentences Noun Our first instinct was to run. Cats possess a natural hunting instinct. Seeing the baby aroused all her maternal instincts. He has been guided throughout his career by his political instincts. Mere instinct alerted her to the danger. He knew by instinct what not to say. She seemed to know by instinct that something was wrong. He has a strong survival instinct. an athlete with good instincts See More Recent Examples on the Web Noun For some, the instinct to stay quiet has grown more difficult. Emily Yahr, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2022 In a movie that’s partly about the human instinct to care for other people, Chau breaks your heart. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Sep. 2022 In that way, the Air Raid remains as much about the moxie of its coach as anything else, rewarding those who refuse the instinct to skate along with the status quo. Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2022 It’s the natural human instinct to shy away from such circumstances, especially when there are extensive repercussions at stake. Ron Carucci, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022 The females are capable of stinging, but lack the instinct to guard their nest like a honeybee. Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2022 With many of Variant’s current bets among the most known and successful in Web3, the instinct of Walden and Jin seems to be on point. Taylor Locke, Fortune, 28 July 2022 Some gay leaders argued that the instinct to live in communities of like-minded people remained a powerful draw and that there would always be some version of a gayborhood, though perhaps not as concentrated and powerful. New York Times, 3 July 2022 When a woman and man see the footage of Kamala's powers, the first instinct is to brush it off. Evan Romano, Men's Health, 8 June 2022 Adjective Mr. Hickenlooper’s denouncement could serve to highlight for Mrs. Clinton’s team his instinct to battle the rival nominee, an important role that vice-presidential candidates play for the top of the ticket. Maggie Haberman, New York Times, 17 June 2016 See More Word History Etymology Noun Middle English, from Latin instinctus impulse, from instinguere to incite; akin to Latin instigare to instigate First Known Use Noun 15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Adjective 1667, in the meaning defined at sense 2 Phrases Containing instinct homing instinct survival instinct death instinct killer instinct homing instinct survival instinct death instinct killer instinct Kids Definition instinct noun in·stinct ˈin-ˌstiŋkt 1 : an act or course of action in response to a stimulus that is automatic rather than learned It's a cat's instinct to hunt. 2 : a way of knowing something without learning or thinking about it Her instincts told her to wait. 3 : a natural ability He has an instinct for making money. Medical Definition instinct noun in·stinct ˈin-ˌstiŋ(k)t 1 : a largely inheritable and unalterable tendency of an organism to make a complex and specific response to environmental stimuli without involving reason 2 : behavior that is mediated by reactions below the conscious level instinctual adjective as in automatic done instantly and without conscious thought or decision the birds' instinctual response is to fly away when startled Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance automatic instinctive mechanical reflex spontaneous mechanic robotic sudden simple natural involuntary unwilling unconscious quick knee-jerk impulsive abrupt visceral reactive conditioned unreasoned subliminal blind casual unforced inadvertent unintentional random impromptu snap unwitting Pavlovian unintended ready improvised unconsidered extemporaneous impetuous unpremeditated unrehearsed unprepared offhand mindless unplanned chance haphazard unprompted unstudied rash hasty extempore chancy offhanded off-the-cuff spur-of-the-moment ad-lib hit-or-miss Antonyms & Near Antonyms conscious deliberate intentional voluntary volitional wilful willful willed prepared calculated intended predetermined careful rehearsed refined cultivated nonmechanical designed reasoned thoughtful meticulous projected aforethought considered measured foresighted studied advised forethoughtful See More
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instinct

noun

adjective

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing instinct

Kids Definition

noun

Medical Definition

noun

adjective